Healing with Horses Ranch is currently a center member of PATH Intl (the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, International). We are striving to become a Premiere PATH Intl member. On July 31st, two site visitors will inspect the ranch to ensure we are adhering to the 100+ PATH Intl standards. We became a PATH Intl member in 2011 because of these standards or best practices. The PATH Intl standards gave us a roadmap to follow as we were developing our policies and our business in general. They are broken down into four categories: mandatory, core, activity, and service.

Twenty-three standards are mandatory, meaning that if we do not adhere to even one those standards and all of their sub-parts, we will automatically fail the accreditation processThe Core Standards compose the vast majority. They cover Business and Administration, Facility Management, and Equine Welfare; everything from written proof of business formation (we are a 501(c)(3) business), to participant and volunteer information that should be kept in the business office or at the activity site, to how we accept and care for horses.

The Activity Standards ensure that there are policies in place that account for the interaction between the participant and horses. We must address the Mounted and Ground Standards, but do not have to follow the Driving and Vaulting Standards because we do not have an Interactive Vaulting program or Driving Program. Our instructors are certified by PATH Intl. We have safety policies about equipment checks and safety stirrups, and the wearing of ASTE-SEI approved helmets.

The Service Standards cover the Equestrian Skills and the Medical/Mental Health Standards. They are concerned with the goals of the participants, whether under the tutelage of a PATH Intl instructor, or a medical professional such as a mental health counselor, physical therapist, or speech pathologist.

How can you help and how does this impact you?

Become familiar with our policies (They are sitting on my desk!).

We are working very hard to make sure that all of our volunteer and participant files are updated. They need to be updated annually. Next time you come in to volunteer or ride, ask for your file, review it to make sure that information is up to date, and then sign and date it.

Make sure that things are put away where they belong. If you don’t know where it belongs, you are probably not the only one. Ask where it goes, make a sign, label it, give it a home …

If you see something is broken, fix it or let me know that it is damaged so that we can get it fixed.

Keep aisle way and walking areas clear of debris to make sure that they are easily traversable. Wind up hoses, put away grooming buckets, try not to make mud puddles in front of gates, …

Look at the list of tasks located by the volunteer sign in, and if you have time or your lesson canceled, pick a task and start working on it. I bet someone will pitch in and help!